UA grad student sheds 175 pounds in fear of dire diagnosis

Will Nevin, seen above before and after his 175-pound weight loss, says anyone can shed the pounds if they make the crucial choice to change their lives. (Submitted photo)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- When a near 350-pound Will Nevin felt a pain in his chest while riding out to Pasadena to see his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide win its 13th national title, he knew it was time for a lifestyle change.

Fearing sudden heart attacks or a diabetes diagnosis, Nevin scurried to the University of Alabama Student Recreation Center and hit the treadmill to walk for three miles, the first of thousands he'd walk on the way to shedding 175 pounds, and perhaps saving his life.

All the while, walking miles and miles on treadmills and changing his diet, Nevin recorded his journey on a brutally honest yet lighthearted weight-loss blog, called "Duct Tape Wedding Ring." With the blog, he chronicles his ongoing journey to lose the weight by sharing exercise routines, new dietary habits and thoughtful and humorous commentary on trends in the weight-loss world.

CNN featured the UA journalism graduate student's story today, emphasizing the moment Nevin faced a dreadful doctor's appointment wherein he'd find out whether or not he was diabetic. [Read that full story.]

A married man, the Moundville native also has a law degree and is on his way to finishing a master's in journalism. Top that with the substantial weight loss, you could say he has already lived quite a full life. But he might tell you the process has allowed him to only get started.

Seeing himself on CNN's website today certainly jolted his senses.

"It was a real treat to be selected for the story," Nevin said. "To sit back and think about what happened over the 11 months it took me to drop the weight -- and not to mention the six months or so I've been trying to keep it off -- was something else."

But Nevin is a humble guy and someone who wants to eagerly spread the message that if he can lose that weight and give himself a second chance, anyone can.

"Of course, I'm not the only one out there who has done something like this," he said. "But if my story can help anyone else in any way, that's the real honor. Anyone -- and I mean anyone -- can do this. Only you can make the choice to change your life."